After assisting with other Greek Life chapters’ philanthropies, members of Sigma Phi Epsilon wanted to support a cause of their own.

“It’s a way to give back to the community,” said Karl Krause, Sigma Phi Epsilon Internal Philanthropy chairman.

Sigma Phi Epsilon will raise money for the American Red Cross’ Joplin relief efforts through its Scare-a-Thon on Oct. 29.

“People think everything’s OK, but (to rebuild Joplin) it’s going to take a lot longer and a lot more help,” Internal Philanthropy committee member Aric Deutsch said.

Krause came up with the idea for Scare-a-Thon last semester while studying.

“Halloween’s a huge event at Mizzou, and I hadn’t heard of anyone doing a haunted house on campus,” Krause said.

Krause contacted local haunted house company FearFest this summer about a sponsorship. The owners toured the house in August and took measurements of the basement, where the haunted house will be held. FearFest will work with the chapter after Homecoming to assemble props and will work with the men the day of the event.

“They’ll teach people how to put makeup on, go over security,” Krause said. “They’ll tell us what to do and what not to do, and how to make a successful haunted house,” Krause said.

When attendees are not touring the haunted house, they can enjoy food, beverages and live musical entertainment. Houlihan’s, among other restaurants, has already agreed to donate food. A member’s brother’s band will provide the live entertainment.

Sigma Phi Epsilon will begin approaching local businesses this week about donations and corporate sponsorship. Depending on the amount donated, companies’ names can appear on the event’s T-shirt, banner or a corporate plaque.

“The more that a company’s trying to promote (the cause), the word’s (going to) get out more,” said Internal Philanthropy committee member Dan Stroud.

Seven sponsors currently have agreed to donate, and more are expected to join as they receive approval from their corporate offices.

In addition to raising money through corporate sponsorship, Sigma Phi Epsilon will solicit customers at local businesses for donations. The chapter will also begin selling T-shirts and tickets in the parking lot before the Oct. 15 Homecoming football game and will continue to sell them the week before the event.

T-shirts will be sold for $13, with more than half of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross. Tickets will be sold for $5 in advance and $10 at the door.

Sigma Phi Epsilon hopes to raise between $10,000 and $15,000 through Scare-a-Thon.

“I’m most looking forward to seeing how much money we can raise, really,” Stroud said.

Scare-a-Thon will be open to children younger than 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. and the general public until 2 a.m.

“We want to reach out to not just the Greek community, but people in dorms, off-campus and in the community who are not involved with Mizzou at all,” Krause said.

Krause said he encourages all community members to support the cause.

“Why waste your money on another haunted house when you can come (to Sigma Phi Epsilon) and all the money’s going toward Joplin?” Krause said.